History - Marine Corps League - History of the Marine Corps League

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Who We Are

History of The Marine Corps League

The Marine Corps League perpetuates the traditions and spirit of ALL Marines and Navy FMF Corpsmen, who proudly wear or who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor of the Corps. It takes great pride in crediting its founding in 1923 to World War I hero, then Major General Commandant John A. Lejeune. It takes equal pride in its Federal Charter, approved by An Act of the Seventy-Fifth Congress of the United States of America and signed and approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 4, 1937. The League is the only Federally Chartered Marine Corps related veterans organization in the country. Since its earliest days, the Marine Corps League has enjoyed the support and encouragement of the active duty and Reserve establishments of the U. S. Marine Corps. Today, the League boasts a membership of more than 60,000 men and women, officer and enlisted, active duty, Reserve Marines, honorably discharged Marine Veterans, qualified Navy FMF Corpsmen and qualified Navy FMF Chaplains and is one of the few Veterans Organizations that experiences increases in its membership each year.

The Marine Corps League is headed by an elected National Commandant, with 14 elected National Staff Officers who serve as trustees. The National Board of Trustees coordinates the efforts of 48 department, or state, entities and the activities of over 1000 community-based detachments located throughout the United States and overseas. The day-to-day operations of the League are under the control of the National Executive Director with the responsibility for the management and direction of all programs, activities, and affairs of the Marine Corps League as well as supervising the National Headquarters staff.

The prime authority of the League is derived from its Congressional charter and from its annual National Convention held each August in different major U.S. cities throughout the nation. It is a not-for-profit organization within the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Code 501(c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contributions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor.

Who We Support

The Marine Corps League sponsors many programs that benefit

Our Veteran Marines and families

Our serving Marines and families

The youth of our communities

We Are Involved

Programs we are involved in are

Toys for Tots
Support of VA benefits and our veterans entitled to receive them
Recognition of significant dates in Marine Corps history
Care packages to deployed Marines
Visiting shut-in Marines
Americanism programs
Flag etiquette presentations

Fallen Marine Program
Programs to keep members abreast of current Marine Corps equipment, tactics, and policies
Young Marines Program
State and National Conventions and Programs
Many other location-specific programs

Who We Support

BRINGING AWARENESS TO VETERAN SUICIDE THROUGH OUR HIKE AND COMMUNITY

2013

Hike I

In 2013, the Detachment held the first Hike to raise funds for Captain Greg Galeazzi, who suffered severe injuries from an IED attack in Iraq. Greg had both legs amputated, and one of his arms required multiple surgeries. This same year Corporal Kevin Dubois lost both of his legs from an attack in Afghanistan, requiring amputation at the hip. Over $30,000 was raised to support these two in the first year. Over 500 miles were walked to support these two Veterans.

2013

2014

Hike II

In 2014, the Detachment had more than doubled in size and the annual event raised money to support the Semper Fi fund. $12,000 was raised to support the Semper Fi fund.

2014

2015

Hike III

In 2015, the Detachment continued to grow and again raised funds to support the Semper Fi fund. $10,000 was raised to support the Semper Fi fund.

2015

2016

Hike IV

In 2016, the Detachment’s members, along with supporting Veterans and service members did a 10 mile Hike leading up to the event. The efforts of the 2016 Hike were to raise funds and awareness for the alarming statistic of 22 Veterans per day who lose their lives to suicide. The Detachment raised money for Mission 22 ($8,000). 36 Veterans participated on the 10 mile Hike.

2016

2017

Hike V

In 2017, the Detachment’s members, along with supporting Veterans and service members did a 22 mile Hike which included 160 registered hikers. The efforts of the 2017 Hike proved a success almost $50,000 in funds were raised and the group of hikers built awareness for the alarming statistic of 20 Veterans per day who lose their lives to suicide. The Detachment was successfully able to support many Veternas and their families as a result of the funds raised in the 2017 Hike V.

2017

2018

Hike VI

We are proud to say that each year we are able to gain more community support and build awareness for Veterans issues. Our 2018 Hike To Remember – Not to Be Forgotten – VI brought to Glastonbury 260 Hikers. The community came together to welcome these Veterans and active duty service members home after their 22K Hike. It was an incredible site to see the community come together to support such important issues and raise awareness for our nation’s heroes. The Detachment raised over $50,000 in this years hike.

2018